Across the nation.

2nd-grade Boys Find Gun

1 Killed

November 06, 1996|By From Tribune News Services.

PEMBROKE PINES, FLORIDA — Two 2nd graders who were inseparable friends found a gun in a dresser drawer while they were home alone, and one boy killed the other with a shot to the head, police said Tuesday.

Althena O'Conner, mother of the 7-year-old who police said pulled the trigger, was jailed on charges of leaving a loaded gun within reach of a minor and could get up to 5 years in prison.

Detectives wouldn't say whether the shooting was an accident. The 7-year-old was placed in the custody of a relative.

Eight-year-old Rondell Izzelgean Diaz was shot Monday inside O'Conner's apartment, but his body was found outside in front of the Miami-area apartment house where both families live, police said.